Check a VIN

1996 Toyota Camry problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Toyota Camry is engine and cooling, typically around 77,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Camry model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
416
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
53
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-23mpg

The worst 1996 Toyota Camry problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Toyota Camry

Stalling 22Sudden acceleration 19No deployment 18Engine failure 14Grinding brakes 13Door locks 13Adaptive cruise 12Brake failure 12Tire blowout 9Fire or smoke 8Seat belt 8Coil spring 7Check engine light 6Pulling 6

Recalls 2

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported November 1, 1999 · 540,037 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut may not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Risk
This can result in a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.

Recall number 99V307000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: tail lightsReported February 20, 1996 · 756 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The plastic material of the bulb holders of the rear tail light assembly does not have sufficient heat resistance. When the bulb is illuminated, the resulting high temperature can cause the bulb holder to deform.
Risk
As the bulb holder deforms, the bulb can lose electrical contact, resulting in an inoperative lamp, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear combination lamp bulb holder to see if it is the defective material. The defective bulb holder together with the wiring harness will be replaced with a correct bulb holder and harness.

Recall number 96V037000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Toyota Camry

Defect investigations

Engine seizureOpened April 30, 2002, closed June 20, 2002

DP02004

Suspension coil springOpened July 18, 2001, closed January 29, 2002

PE01024

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Toyota Camry 53

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 53 bulletins for the 1996 Toyota Camry

1996 Toyota Camry fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD18-2025-2821-23
3.0L 6‑cylFWD182621

What 1996 Toyota Camry owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 31, 2020 · Engine, Steering · NV

The steering sucks ive tried everything but nothing it still drives my sucks

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Airbags · NC

My 1996 toyota camry is listed under the "airbags" unreported recall for repair/replacement. Please advise.

Filed Jan 15, 2017 · Acceleration · 222,198 miles · AL

I am the owner of the 96 toyota camry identified by the VIN number provided. I have experienced an abnormal speeding of my car as explained below: this past friday, jan 13th about 6:30 pm central time, I was traveling on I-65 south (from birmingham, alabama to hoover, alabama). About 15 to 20 minutes on the road, when I was just about to reach my destination, my vehicle started accelerating abruptly even when the foot was off the pedal. I stepped on the brakes but the engine kept revving upwards of 3000 RPM. In great distress, praying to jesus, I kept hardly pressing the brakes and was able to shift gear to neutral. It started reviving up higher in neutral. Shifted to park and stopped the engine. It seems, there is something wrong with the design of throttle or the parts involved in the vehicle's speed control system. I towed the vehicle to my place. Please investigate this issue and advice me if I have to reach out to the manufacturer for a car repair or replacement.

Filed Nov 22, 2016 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 1996 toyota camry. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clicking noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle began to speed up in excess of 100 MPH and crashed head on into a guardrail. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained brain injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The contact stated that this was the second time the vehicle accelerated independently. The manufacturer was contacted after the first occurrence and advised to have the vehicle diagnosed at a toyota dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the specific details of the diagnosis and repair could not be provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. ..updated 05/09/17 *bf consumer replaced the part causing unintended acceleration with new part on july 26,2013. Consumer had a car accident on november 25,2013. Updated 9/5/18

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Acceleration · 165,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota camry. While driving the vehicle, it independently accelerated. The contact engaged the brake pedal and shifted into neutral to bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Updated 10/06/16*lj

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 140,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota camry. The contact stated that when attempting to turn the vehicle, the steering wheel would seize in the turned position without warning. The contact stated that excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle when it seized. In addition, the speedometer failed to provide accurate reading levels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2015 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · VA

Both the driver side window and front passenger window have stopped working on occasion. Presently the passenger side window may go down, but will not go up. The next day it may go up. I don't put it down because I don't want to leave it down in rain or overnight. My previous camry also had electrical window problems.

Filed Aug 28, 2015 · 171,750 miles · ME

I had driven the car for about 15 minutes when the gas pedal seemed to be sucked to the floor. The car suddenly accelerated to 50 and I could barely get it to stop. I had it towed to a repair shop; but they could not find anything wrong. I'm not crazy. This is the 2nd time in 2 weeks that this has happened. What is wrong?

Filed Aug 15, 2015 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · NE · crash

Unintended acceleration. I was turning a corner with my foot slightly on the brake. Suddenly the car lunged ahead at a fast speed without me having my foot on the gas pedal. Then jumped a curb and flattened a stop sign. The car was then heading towards a chain-link fence surrounding a multitude of high electrical towers. I turned the wheel to my right and bounced down the curb onto the street. I was heading towards some lawn mower trailers. I had both feet on the brake pressing down as hard as I could, but the car did not slow down. Suddenly the engine died and the car stopped. Toyota towed the car in for inspection. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I am afraid to drive it now and I am without a car. I checked the internet and saw that this unintended acceleration happened with many 1996 models. It was a terrifying experoence. I could have killed someone. There was a lawn crew working in the area at the time this occurred. Do I have any recourse? The date this happened was first mid-week in april, 2015. Thank you.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · CA

Driver and passenger airbags deployed, braking windshield and bruising driver when car barely moving forward. Tapped another cars bumper, no other damage to either vehicle.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Toyota Camry before you buy

Compare the 1996 Toyota Camry

Camry vs Honda AccordCamry vs Ford FusionCamry vs Chevrolet MalibuCamry vs Hyundai SonataCamry vs Nissan AltimaCamry vs Volkswagen PassatCamry vs Kia OptimaCamry vs Subaru Legacy

Other model years

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024

Questions about the 1996 Toyota Camry

Is the 1996 Toyota Camry reliable?

Owners have filed 416 complaints about the 1996 Toyota Camry, close to a typical Camry model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Toyota Camry?

Engine and cooling, with 77 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles. Next is brakes (54).

How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Camry have?

2 recalls, covering steering and exterior lighting.

What year does the Toyota Camry have bad engine?

The Toyota Camry model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (529 complaints), 2009 (252 complaints) and 2002 (165 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Toyota Camry get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Toyota Camry range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 25-28 highway.

Share your experience with the 1996 Toyota Camry

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Toyota Camry?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN